Lung therapy device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates in general to a respiratory therapy device, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for providing continuous positive airway pressure therapy that may be connected to a small-volume nebulizer in order to provide a combination therapy that requires only a single source of gas. The apparatus of the invention includes a valveless patient interface and a source of pressurized gas which may be split into two streams to provide both continuous positive airway pressure therapy as well as aerosol therapy to a patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/938,865 filed on May 18, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates in general to a respiratory therapy device, andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for providing continuouspositive airway pressure therapy that may be connected to a small-volumenebulizer in order to provide a combination therapy that requires only asingle source of gas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The health field is replete with devices intended to help resolve orprevent respiratory problems. Therapies that assist persons in takingdeep breaths have been found to be beneficial in that this may expandairways. Among these therapies are continuous positive airway pressuretherapy, and aerosol therapy.

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy, or “CPAP,” is often usedfor the treatment and prevention of atelectasis, which is the closing ofpart or the entire lung. Atelectasis is usually due to blockage in theairway and is exacerbated by very shallow breathing. CPAP is often usedin hospitals on post surgical patients and patients who are confined tobed because they are particularly vulnerable to this condition. CPAP,which is also used to treat sleep apnea, delivers a positive pressureinto the airways during both inhalation and exhalation in order to helpopen the airways and keep them open. It has been found to help in notonly the reversal of atelectasis, but in its prevention as well. CPAPtherapy may be delivered by connecting a single-patient CPAP device to asource of gas, such as a flow meter that regulates the flow of air oroxygen from a wall outlet. CPAP therapy is most often delivered to thepatient through a mouthpiece or mask.

Another lung therapy that is commonly used to prevent or resolveatelectasis is aerosol therapy. This therapy is typically delivered byplacing a liquid medication, such as a bronchodilator, into asmall-volume nebulizer, connecting the nebulizer to a source of gas,most often regulated by a flow meter that regulates the flow of air oroxygen. The nebulizer converts the liquid medication into aerosol and,like CPAP therapy, is usually delivered to the patient through amouthpiece or mask.

It has been found that the combination and concurrent delivery of CPAPand aerosol therapies is beneficial in that it reduces treatment time,and it is believed that each therapy enhances the effectiveness of theother. The aerosol delivery of a fast-acting bronchodilator may help todilate airways allowing the CPAP pressure being introduced to have themaximum opportunity to be effective. Likewise, as the CPAP holds theairways open the aerosol has free access to the airways to do its job.This combination therapy may be administered by connecting asingle-patient CPAP device to one source of gas controlled by a flowmeter, connecting a nebulizer to the CPAP device, and connecting thenebulizer to another source of gas controlled by a flow meter.

Although this combination therapy is effective, potential problems mayarise by having to connect each of the two therapy devices to separategas sources. For example, there is often only one gas source availablein a hospital room. In this case, a concurrent combination therapy wouldbe precluded, or require the gathering of an additional portable gassource, such as a gas tank or portable compressor. If two gas sourcesare available in a room, an additional flow meter is required so thatthe nebulizer and the CPAP device can each be connected to its own gassource. Additionally, if there are two gas sources in a room, usuallyone is oxygen and the other air. This forces the clinician to connectone of the devices to air and the other to oxygen. In certain situationsit may be advantageous to connect both the CPAP device and the nebulizerto the same type of gas. For example, in treating a patient in theend-stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it may be desirableto deliver the combination therapy using only air in order to avoidoxygen-flow induced retention of carbon dioxide. Similarly, whentreating a patient with a condition that requires higher concentrationsof oxygen it may be more beneficial to connect both the CPAP and theaerosol device to an oxygen source.

Thus, it would be desirable to have a single-patient, CPAP therapydevice that can be connected to a nebulizer in order to deliver aerosoltherapy under continuous positive pressure while requiring only a singlegas source for the two devices or combination.

The present invention provides for such a combination therapy andconnects to a single gas source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a respiratory therapy device that provides continuouspositive airway pressure and may be connected to a small-volumenebulizer to deliver a combination CPAP-aerosol therapy while connectingto a single gas source. It is comprised of a single-patient usecontinuous positive airway pressure therapy device, connectable to asmall-volume nebulizer, a means for connecting both devices to a singlegas source, and a means for restricting the flow of gas to at least oneof the two devices.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a meansfor delivering a CPAP-aerosol combination therapy even when only one gassource is available.

Another object of the present invention is to save time required ingathering additional gas sources and flow control devices in order todeliver a CPAP-aerosol combination therapy.

Another object of the present invention is to save the expense requiredsecuring additional gas sources and flow control devices in order todeliver a CPAP-aerosol combination therapy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means to connectboth the CPAP device and the nebulizer to the same gas when only one airsource and one oxygen source are available.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the lung therapy device ofpresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the lung therapydevice of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein acombination CPAP-aerosol therapy device 10 is formed by attaching asmall-volume nebulizer 14 to a single-patient-use CPAP housing 12.Combination CPAP-aerosol therapy device 10 connects to a single gassource (not shown) with single-source gas connector 16.

To initiate the CPAP-aerosol therapy liquid medication is first placedinto small-volume nebulizer 14, which is connected to CPAP housing 12 bypress fitting nebulizer neck 38 into aerosol port 40. Single-source gasconnector 16 is connected to a flow meter (not shown) to regulate theflow of an appropriate source of gas, typically air or oxygen. Amanometer (not shown) may be connected to pressure monitoring port 34 inorder to adjust the flow meter to achieve the desired pressure. Pressuremonitoring port 34 is connected to the distal end of pressure monitoringconduit 42, which is fluidly connected to the proximal end of CPAPhousing 12 in order to sense pressure proximal to the patient.

When the combination CPAP-aerosol device 10 has been readied for thetherapy mouthpiece 56, which may also be a mask or some otherappropriate patient interface, connects the patient to combinationCPAP-aerosol device 10 and the patient is instructed to inhale from andexhale into the device.

Flow proceeds from single gas single-source gas connector 16 throughsingular tube 18 and is divided into two distinct flow streams as itenters Y connector 20. Y connector 20 connects to dual tubing 28, whichconsists of two tubes: nebulizer tube 58 and CPAP tube 60. From Yconnector 20 one of the two flow stream enters into nebulizer tube1^(st) end 22, and the other flow stream enters CPAP tube 1^(st) end 24.

The gas flowing through CPAP tube 60 continues until it exits CPAP tube2^(nd) end 32 and enters into the distal end of CPAP housing 12. The gasflow travels through entrainment cavity 36 and is directed into venturithroat 44. In this embodiment CPAP device 12 contains a venturi 46 whichserves as a flow amplification chamber. In alternate embodiments theventuri may be replaced by an amplification chamber which facilitates aCoanda effect, known within the medical industry, which similarly servesas a flow amplification chamber.

Gas flow continues through venturi 46 and exits CPAP housing 12 throughpatient opening 54 and flows into the patient via mouthpiece 56. As thepatient exhales gas may exit exhalation port 62 which is made larger orsmaller manipulating exhalation port selector ring 50. By observingmanometer pressure exhalation port selector ring 50 may be used toachieve various CPAP pressures in conjunction with varying the flow ofthe single source gas with a flow meter. The manipulation of exhalationport selector ring 50 is achieved by adjusting exhalation port selectorring tab 52 so that it corresponds with one of three raised indicatordots 48. At one dot the exhalation port is open the most, therebyresulting in the lowest exhalation resistance. At dot three theexhalation port is open the least, thereby resulting in more resistanceduring exhalation.

The gas flowing through nebulizer tube 58 is partially restricted byflow reduction orifice 26, which is calibrated in order to regulate thegas to a flow appropriate to drive nebulizer 14. Typically theappropriate flow ranges from 5 to 10 liters per minute. After the gashas passed through flow reduction orifice 26 it continues flowingthrough nebulizer tube 58 until exits nebulizer tube 2nd end 30, whichis connected to nebulizer 14. The gas enters nebulizer 14 where it isutilized to convert the liquid medicine into aerosol. The aerosolizedmedication flows from nebulizer 14 through nebulizer neck 38 and isentrained into entrainment cavity 36 by way of aerosol port 40.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear view of Combination CPAP-aerosol therapy device 10showing at least one entrainment opening 60 through which ambient gasinter into entrainment cavity 36 and mixes with aerosol from nebulizer14. From there the gas-aerosol mixture enters venturi throat 30, whereit travels through venturi 46 and finally out through mouthpiece 56.

1. A lung therapy device for delivering continuous positive airwaypressure comprising: a means of fluidly connecting to a single source ofgas under pressure; a means for dividing said single source of gas underpressure into two distinct flow streams; a means for restricting theflow of at least one of said two distinct flow streams of said singlesource of gas under pressure; a housing fluidly connected to at leastone of said two distinct flow streams of said single source of gas underpressure; said housing further containing an absence of valves that moveduring the therapy; said housing further having a proximal end with anopening which therethrough a patient may inhale inspiratory gas intosaid patient's airways and exhale expiratory gas from said patient'sairways; said opening in said proximal end further being fluidlyconnectable to a patient interface connector; said housing furtherhaving a distal end with a gas inlet port fluidly connectable to one oftwo distinct flow streams of said single source of gas under pressure;said housing further having at least one entrainment port open to theambient; said housing further having a pressure monitoring port; saidhousing further containing a chamber shaped such that the flow of gaspassing therethrough is amplified; said housing further containing aport connectable to a nebulizer; a means for connecting said nebulizerto at least one of said two distinct flow streams of said single sourceof gas under pressure.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid proximal end of said housing further includes at least oneexhalation port open to the ambient.
 3. The apparatus according to claim2, wherein said housing further contains a means for adjusting the sizeof said at least one exhalation port.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein said means for adjusting said size of said at least oneexhalation port further contains a means for diverting the flow ofexhaled gas away from the clinician.
 5. The apparatus according to claim3, wherein said housing further contains a means for indicating theselected size of said at least one exhalation port by means of at leastone of visual indicator and a tactile indicator.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said port connectable to a nebulizerfurther contains a means of being sealed if not in use.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one of two distinct flowstreams connectable to a nebulizer further contains a means of beingsealed if not in use.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid pressure monitoring port further consists of a pressure monitoringconduit removably connected to said housing having a first end fluidlyconnected to said proximal end of said housing, and a second end fluidlyconnected to a port at said distal end of said housing, wherein saidport at said distal end is connectable to a means of measuring pressure.9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chamber foramplifying said flow of gas within said housing is shaped to form aventuri.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chamberfor amplifying said flow of gas within said housing is shaped to createa Coanda effect.
 11. A lung therapy device for delivering continuouspositive airway pressure comprising: a means of fluidly connecting to asingle source of gas under pressure; a means for dividing said singlesource of gas under pressure into two distinct flow streams; a means forrestricting the flow of at least one of said two distinct flow streamsof said single source of gas under pressure; a housing fluidly connectedto at least one of said two distinct flow streams of said single sourceof gas under pressure; said housing further containing an absence ofvalves that move during the therapy; said housing further having aproximal end with an opening which therethrough a patient may inhaleinspiratory gas into said patient's airways and exhale expiratory gasfrom said patient's airways; said opening in said proximal end of saidhousing further being fluidly connectable to a patient interfaceconnector; said proximal end of said housing further including at leastone exhalation port open to the ambient; said housing further having adistal end with a gas inlet port fluidly connectable to one of twodistinct flow streams of said single source of gas under pressure; saidhousing further having at least one entrainment port open to theambient; said housing further having a pressure monitoring port; saidhousing further containing a chamber shaped to form a venturi such thatthe flow of gas passing therethrough is amplified; said housing furthercontaining a port connectable to a nebulizer; a means for connectingsaid nebulizer to at least one of said two distinct flow streams of saidsingle source of gas under pressure.
 12. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein said housing further contains a means for adjustingthe size of said at least one exhalation port.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein said means for adjusting said size ofsaid at least one exhalation port further contains a means for divertingthe flow of exhaled gas away from the clinician.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 13, wherein said housing further contains a means forindicating the selected size of said at least one exhalation port bymeans of at least one of visual indicator and a tactile indicator. 15.The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said port connectable to anebulizer further contains a means of being sealed if not in use. 16.The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said at least one of twodistinct flow streams connectable to a nebulizer further contains ameans of being sealed if not in use.
 17. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein said pressure monitoring port further consists of apressure monitoring conduit removably connected in said housing having afirst end fluidly connected to said proximal end of said housing, and asecond end fluidly connected to a port at said distal end of saidhousing, wherein said port at said distal end is connectable to a meansof measuring pressure.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid chamber for amplifying said flow of gas within said housing isshaped to create a Coanda effect.
 19. A method of administering acombination lung therapy of continuous positive airway pressure andaerosol therapy comprising the steps of: providing a single-patient-usecontinuous positive airway pressure device, a patient interface, and asmall-volume nebulizer; filling the small-volume nebulizer with anappropriate amount and kind of medication; connecting said small-volumenebulizer to said single-patient-use continuous positive airway pressuredevice and patient interface to form a combination therapy unit;connecting said combination therapy unit to a single source of gas underpressure; delivering combination therapy to patient.